Monster

The green eyed boy hummed to himself as he waited outside of the school building hours later, the sun already starting to dip down. "Honestly… how long does it take for him to make a call to his parents? Ball busters as usual still, I guess…"

Dame da ne! Dame yo, dame nanoyo…

Shad picked up his phone quickly. "Shad speaking."

"Good evening, Shad," a familiar voice said on the other end.

"Ah, Sona! Good evening. Everything go okay with that student council meeting?" he asked her.

"Everything went well. Better than expected actually, we just wrapped up. I was wondering if you had the time for a quick game?" the student council president asked him.

Shad frowned. He always hated saying no, especially with how let down she seemed when they had to dissolve the chess club last year. "Any other time I'd say yes, but I already made plans with Kerth tonight. Sorry… any chance we can play during lunch?"

He heard a slightly dejected sigh on the other end of the line. "I believe we can squeeze that in. Be careful on your way home tonight though. There have been some reports of some dangerous wildlife in the area recently."

"I will be. You know Kerth will make sure I am," he chuckled. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?"

"Very well. Be safe."

Shad could hear the call disconnect as he put his phone back in his pocket. He let out a sigh and leant closer to the door to see if he could overhear Kerth's side of the conversation.

"Yeah so I'll be late tonight. Like really late."

"Is it finally a girl or are you going with Shad somewhere again?"

"...It's Shad. Why?"

"Son, We are worried tha-"

"Ugh... Dad. I don't swing that way. I told you guys that a million times already."

"It's not like we wouldn't accept it, you know."

"I'm hanging up. Don't wait for me."Click.After pocketing his phone, he turned around to see Shad, waiting for him. "Sorry for the wait, man."

"No problem. The usual, I assume?"

"Yeah… I get they are worried. I keep telling them that it will all work out someday. I… just don't know why they are so impatient with this romance stuff."

"I hear ya… we're only seventeen. Honestly, they might be worse than the Perv trio with how badly they want you to get some so soon. Not that we're spoiled for choice at least, but I think I speak for both of us when I saw we don't just wanna hook up with a girl and be done with it, right?"

"Duh. It's too bothersome to jump from relationship to relationship."

"Amen to that. So, is this a 'we're getting on our bikes' trip or a 'walking and potentially getting on rooftops we're not supposed to' trip?"

"More of the former. At least part way. Once we get to the old park the rest of the way is untraveled so going on a bike would be harder than walking. Once we go through some trees, there is a nice open field away from the city lights." Kerth said with a proud smirk.

"Oh nice," Shad smiled as he went to the bike rack to pick up his bike. "Sounds like a good view." He hesitated for a moment, remembering Sona's warning. "... It far away from town?"

"Kinda. That was the point, after all." Kerth answered with a yawn. "Why?"

Shad nodded, making a mental note to look into getting a weapon for next time they go out. Things should be fine for tonight though. "Nothing. Sona mentioned something about dangerous wildlife but if it's at least close to the old park I doubt there's enough forest between that and the clearing for something meaningfully dangerous to hide without already being taken care of. I'm pretty sure they have someone go up there to check on it every now and then at least."

"Eh~~ I see. Well, even if something happens, it will work out." Kerth chuckled as he sat down on his bike. "Shall we?"

His friend nodded, mounting his bike and getting to pedaling. It was fortunately not a very hard ride… for Shad at least. Though there was a bit of a winding path leading up to the park, he was always the slightly more active of the two. Kerth, however…

"I told you napping during PE so often would come back to bite ya," Shad teased his best friend.

"T-that's because, you're rushing! Have you never heard about a leisurely ride or a walk?!" His friend wheezed out a complaint as he tried to keep up with him.

"Fine, fine… I'll slow down," Shad chuckled as he slowed his pace. "I just don't wanna miss it, you know? Your parents kept fretting about you so long that the sun was already going down."

"B-ball buster. A-as always, right?"

"Heh. Yeah. I got some water in my bag still if you need it?" Shad offered.

"Maybe once we reach the park. I-I don't want to puke it all out."

"Smart." Shad paused for a moment to let Kerth catch up and take a view of the park. "No wonder you found this secret place already. We're so far from town… and so high up."

"G-glad. You enjoy the fruits of my labor… Ha… ha…"

Shad glanced to Kerth with a chuckle. "That desperate for a peaceful nap, huh?"

"Of course. It is my lifelong dream to find a perfect napping spot." Kerth chuckled along with his friend, hitting himself in the chest with pride.

The two soon reached the park and locked up their bikes, taking a break on the bench. Shad pulled out a fresh bottle of water for his friend, handing it to his exhausted friend. "Here you are dude. Take your time. We still got time I think.

"Thanks~~" Kerth took the drink and slowly sipped on the cool watery goodness. "Ha~~ yep… nothing like water." He commented with glee before giving his friend his water bottle back.

Shad put it back in his bag and stood, stretching a bit. "We're definitely feeling this tomorrow… okay! Which way are we going then, Kerth?"

Kerth nodded and pointed a finger towards the forest. "That way. About 10 more minutes and we will be there. As luck would have it, probably right on time as well."

Shad nodded and started following Kerth… though there was hesitation in his step after a few moments. "Hey… maybe I'm just being paranoid but something feels… off."

"How so?" Kerth asked, glancing back at his friend.

Green eyes scanned the canopy and forest floor. "It's the forest, but it's so… quiet. I know we're still pretty close to town but I can't hear anything. No birds… no bugs…"

"... No wonder I found this place to be so appealing. But you're right. This is strange."

"Maybe we should head-" Shad suddenly gagged and covered his mouth and nose, retching. "Jesus! Wha-What the hell is that smell?!"

Following suit, Kerth gagged once the smell reached his nose, "My God~ Bleh. Ugh!"

The black haired boy went to support his friend when something caught his ears. The cawing of crows. He glanced to where the sound came from, shocked that after such silence it was finally broken… and his heart dropped. "Kerth… we need to leave… now," he told his friend quietly, immediately trying to drag Kerth the other way, ghostly pale and looking like he was about to actually vomit.

"Y-yeah. Agreed. Ugh…" The boy nodded, before shaking his head to get the smell out of his nose.

Uncharacteristically though, Shad seemed to slip and fall backwards on something, taking Kerth with him. Both boys suddenly felt a dampness on their chest and a painful sting. Kerth's eyes seemed to suddenly adjust to the darkness of the moonless canopy, seeing what they had slipped on… the decapitated, disfigured head of a person… and a large, hulking monster with the mutilated rest of its victim in its mouth.

"What the fuck is that." Kerth whispered, pure horror taking over.

Shad's breath caught in his throat as the monster dropped its meal from its mouth and grinned at them, its claws covered in fresh blood. "... run…" he muttered, his words caught in his throat as it reeled back for another slash. "RUN!" Shad scrambled to his feet, dragging Kerth with him. The two narrowly were saved by the monster's long talons getting caught on a particularly thick branch, though they felt another sting in their backs.

Kerth could feel his stomach turn as he was able to see very clearly what Shad was trying to protect him from seeing. The monster had seemed to make a 'nest' not far from where he and Shad were walking, with multiple trees knocked over, gore and half eaten corpses decorating its home. "Kerth, move!" Shad barked, pulling him out of the way of one of the beast's horns. "Damn it, I can barely see!"

Kerth seemed to snap to his senses, seeing a path deeper into the woods that had a dense population of trees. Even if this thing could knock them over, they'd be able to get some distance with how many were in the path. "Th-This way!" He took the lead, pulling his best friend with him.

Leap of Faith

The two high schoolers fled from the monstrosity behind them, the beast clumsily attempting to navigate the forest that it had made its lair. Kerth continued to lead the way, whether by adrenaline or a divine hand guiding him he was able to see better in the dark than Shad at the moment. "There, I can see a break in the trees! We can… we can get to town!" he wheezed and pointed to a large clearing that the both of them made a dash for. Only to end up on the ledge of a steep drop that would take them to the pavement of the road they had traveled upon not long ago.

Kerth's heart dropped as he looked at what was surely a lethal fall for them and let out a grim chuckle. "You know what I just realized? This was the place I found that'd be good to watch the star shower… I didn't think it'd end for us here."

Shad, meanwhile, was looking down at the cliff and had a different idea. He looked to Kerth with a small, reassuring grin, trying to keep his best friend's spirits up. "... I bet we can make that."

Kerth looked at the rapidly approaching monster, then back at Shad. "Five hundred yen says we can't!"

"You're on!" Shad shouted as he grabbed Kerth by the wrist and jumped off the cliff with him. The cliff fortunately wasn't a long drop before the two hit a slope. The two tumbled for a moment before Shad was able to grab his free hand into the dirt, slowing their decent before they had a rather ungraceful meeting with the ground, tearing up their uniforms.

There was a shriek from above as the inhuman monster leapt from the cliff as well, though with so much speed it landed on a stretch of land below them. Swiftly followed by the loud honk of a car horn and what sounded like a horrendous crash. The two groaned as they slowly got to their knees, bruised, battered and bloodied, but alive.

"... You lose…" Shad chuckled after spitting out some blood… and a chip of tooth. Kerth grumbled and fumbled for his wallet before tossing his best friend a coin. Shad clumsily caught it before throwing up… should his vomit be that red? His… everything hurt. And Kerth wasn't looking much better. "Kerth… buddy… I know it's real hard right now… but we gotta stay awake, you hear me?" He went to support his friend, fumbling for his phone. Everything felt so heavy and cold.

"C'mon, Shad… just a quick nap… that was… really bothersome…" Kerth mumbled deliriously.

"I-I know buddy, just… wait a little… a little longer… okay?" Shad coughed as he dialed 119.

"Ugh…. We are definitely feeling… this… tomorrow."

"Hehe… tell me about it… my sister's… gonna have my guts for garters…"

"Unless… they spill right here. Ugh… that hurt." Kerth said, his face becoming paler with each passing second.

Shad finally got through to the operator, not even waiting for her to speak as he started speaking. "O-Old park, west of town… bi-big crash… my friend and I are losing a lot of blood… please, send help…"

"Right away sir, please stay on the line and we'll send you an ambulance," he heard from the other end.

Shad let out a breath of relief as everything started going dark. "On second thought, Kerth… a nap… sounds real good right now…"

"Way… ahead… of ya…" Kerth said, struggling to keep his eyes open.

The two stumbled and fell to the pavement as darkness claimed them.

Recovery

Shad groaned as he heard the beeping of an EKG, his eyes fluttering open to see a sterile, white room. "Nughhh… my head…" he muttered as he looked to one side. There was Kerth. Sleeping away. Though he seemed to have a steady EKG as well. He let out a breath of relief and turned to the window… only to find himself looking up at a very angry looking Marianne with tears welling up in her eyes. "Oh… hey sis…" he smiled up at her sheepishly.

"You big idiot! Why the hell were you up there so late at night?!" she shouted at him, though amid a couple of light sobs. Shad's younger sister suffered from what the doctors called 'minor' albinism and what his fully albino mother considered a gift of god and good genetics from his father. Though her skin was perfectly healthy, albeit on the pale side, she had snow white hair despite only being a year younger than him and crimson red eyes.

"Kerth and I were going to see a star shower… didn't think we'd get mauled…" he tried to defend himself.

His sister sniffled and face planted onto the side of his bed, clutching his sheets. "We were so… scared when we heard you were hospitalized by some dumb bear… the cops are already looking for it to put it down though… so you'll be avenged soo-"

"Wait… that thing lived?" Shad asked, suddenly very pale and his heart rate spiking.

"The cops were just as surprised… it looks like it got hit pretty good by that car but there wasn't a corpse anywhere," she told him with a nod. Shad glanced over to his still sleeping friend before going back to his sister. "Is that so?" he asked as he patted her head gently. "Then… there's nothing to worry about, right? The cops got this."

'No they don't…' a voice at the back of his head nagged at him.

Marianne sniffled and nodded, giving her older brother a gentle hug. "Y-Yeah… you're right… I'll go get mom and dad. They've been worried sick." She rushed out of the room to fetch his parents as Shad turned to Kerth.

"... You heard that, right?"

"... Couldn't not hear it even if I wanted to…"

"There's no way in hell the cops can kill that thing… its mouth alone was as big as our torso."

"Yeah… that thing was a freak of nature… what to do…" Kerth pondered, his eyes narrowing from thinking.

"I don't even know if itwasnatural, Kerth…" Shad sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It almost looked like a fairy tale monster…"

"Fairy tale? More like a horror story, if you ask me." Kerth retorted, before fixing himself up on the bed. "No matter what that was. I don't even know what we could do about it. As you said, cops won't be able to do anything about it, and I don't think they are willing to involve the military to go hunt a "bear"."

"... Well… whatever it is… I think I know where we can go with this once we're back in school." The black haired student glanced around before remembering all his clothes and likely his school bag were likely either thrown out or taken to his parents. "Yuuto offered us to join the Occult Research Club while you were asleep in class. Maybe we take him up on that? Even if they don't believe us we can do our own research."

"...hm… sure, but then what? You expect us to find a weakness of some sorts?" Kerth asked, He was uncharacteristically skeptical about all of this, which kinda caught Shad off guard.

"I mean it's either that or live in fear of the woods around our town for the rest of our lives." Green eyes locked with… "Purple?"

"Huh?"

"Your eyes… they're purple now."

"... Wha?" Kerth took a glance at the window, hoping to see his reflection in the glass, his eyes as plain and average brown as ever, but it was as his friend said. His eyes were purple. "Ugh… what is going on…" Kerth sighed, massaging his temples in confusion.

"Still think the research club isn't worth it? Or do you think your eyes changed color from the attack somehow?" Shad pointed out.

"I hate it when you're right in these situations…" Kerth sighed before plopping his head back onto the pillow.

"To take a page out of your book this time though… no use in worrying about it for now," Shad sighed, his head resting back on his own pillow. "No way they're letting us out without a clean bill of health. Let's not stress about it until we're fit to go back to school, yeah?"

"Yep. Totally agree."

Kerth could hear something from the other side of the wall. Multiple sets of feet rushing towards the room, and fast. Was he always able to hear that well? Freaking out a little about his purple eyes, he decided that just to be safe, he should keep his eyes closed. God knows that explaining all of this would be more bothersome than it was worth. "I'll leave it to you, man." The violet eyed boy chuckled before pretending to fall asleep.

The door burst open as both of their families rushed to check on them, much to the dismay of the doctors and nurses handling them.

The Research Club

Time flew by as the two recovered from their harrowing experience, Shad doing his best to find anything he could on the monster before they were released… but of course, to no avail. "Seriously… how has no one seen a monster like this before now?" He groaned on his walk to school with Kerth. "Is this really something we've discovered that no one else has?"

"Honestly. As terrifying as that is… maybe? I mean. That spot was quite desolate." His friend answered, groaning with him from the pain.

Shad sighed as they walked through the school gates, already hearing the low mutterings of the rumor mill at work. "All the more reason to approach them with it, right? Maybe they have information on something similar, at least."

"... Yeah… If they don't take us for lunatics." Kerth chuckled. "Still, don't you think it's kinda strange that the "prince of Kuoh" of all people is advertising for such a dubious club?"

"I mean hey I ain't gonna judge… the occult is a bit interesting, just never had a reason to go super into it until now," his friend shrugged.

"Ditto… Welp. I'm sure everything will work out." Kerth hummed, putting his hands behind his head as they continued to walk towards the school's old building.

This had the green eyed student's brows raised. "Really? You're into the occult? I figured you'd write it off as too complicated."

"Some of Cthulu stuff is related to sleeping, no? I did once take a quick glance to see whether there were some techniques to fall asleep quicker." Kerth snickered. "Although I did give up quite quickly since most of the stuff was written in scientific mumbo jumbo."

"... Pffff…. hahaha! Of course that's what you're interested in," Shad laughed before doubling over slightly. "N-Nope… still hurts to laugh that hard… C'mon… let's see if someone's in the old school house. Yuuto said that's where they meet."

There, surrounded by trees, was the building known as the old school building. Apparently it was used a long time ago, and there were no signs of people within. It's so creepy that the students had listed it as one of the school's "Seven Wonders". The building looked very old and was made from wood, but there weren't any broken windows and it was hard to tell if anything's broken from its appearance. It's old, but it isn't that bad at a glance.

They entered the two-story-high building, and went up the stairs, delving further into the building. Even the corridor looked clean, as it seemed like even the rooms that weren't in use didn't even have a single dust speck in them. "... For an abandoned school house, this place is rather well kept… glamorous even," Shad noted.

"No kidding… Naps here would be great."

"... Oh hey, someone dropped some yen." Shad bent down to pick up the gleaming coin on the ground.

POW!

There was a fist just above where Shad's side was seconds ago, the wall splintered and the plaster completely obliterated. The black haired student springing back in shock and landing flat on his ass. "WHOA JESUS WHAT THE FUCK?!" He heard a groan of discomfort in response.

Shad looked up at his assailant to find the petite Koneko's fist being the one driven into the wall. "Oh my! It's not like you to miss a target like that, Koneko," a different familiar voice stated from the room just beyond.

"My mistake, Akeno-senpai," she replied in a cold voice as she turned to the two. "I will not repeat it."

Sweating bullets at the sudden display of destructive power, Kerth couldn't help but put on the dumbest expression on his face as he could. Raising both of his hands out, he started, his voice slightly trembling. "Um… hi. A-are you two part of the Occult research club? We were told to come here by the Kuoh Prince."

"Kiba?" Akeno asked, before both girls glanced at each other.

"Y-Yeah… he gave us a couple of fliers. He said you were looking for new members?" Shad explained, pulling the pair of slightly bloodied fliers out of his backpack and showing them to the two. "... Please don't mind the blood, there was an… accident the same day."

Koneko looked to Akeno for her orders on the matter. After a moment of thought from the upperclassman, she gave the petite first year a nod to let them in. Koneko stepped aside to let the two in, allowing Shad to hand Akeno the fliers Kiba gave them. There was a glimmer of recognition as she looked at Kerth, though her attention was quickly diverted back to the invitations. "Indeed… these aren't fabrications. But still, why would Kiba…" The black haired woman looked her underclassmen over for a good few moments before letting out a sigh. "I don't know what he was thinking, inviting you two in here…"

"W-We found something… something that you guys might be interested in!" Shad interrupted her train of thought. "A couple weeks ago… we found some kind of monster, in the forest by that park just out of town!"

Koneko seemed to stiffen slightly at that declaration, though Akeno kept composed. "Oh? A monster? You mean that bear that caused the accident, yes?"

"It wasn't just some bear… it had scales. And horns and spines all over. No eyes… just a mouth and more horns."

There was a more serious look in her eyes before she let out a frustrated sigh. "So you were the two that were hospitalized that day… no matter. It was all a nightmare anyway, right?"

Kerth noticed a glint in her beautiful violet eyes. They almost seemed to glow red in the candlelight. And there was an odd way that her voice seemed to change. Almost like it was wrong… but in a good way. A comforting way. Surely she was right… it was how they saw the beast in their nightmares.

Shad almost accepted it too… until he recalled the stench. The almost deafening caw of the crows that night as he saw the mound of corpses. The eyeless beast's face, its breath stinking of gore and rot. "N-No… No, you're wrong! There's no way… no way something like that was only a dream!" he barked.

His friend's determination snapped Kerth out of the alluring lullaby with a sigh. "As much as I'd like to believe you, he's right. My eyes turned purple after too, and I've been able to see it the dark ever since. Please… we just want answers so we can figure this out and let it be over. Can't you at least let us stay that long?"

Akeno looked shocked. "Ara, perhaps Kiba was not completely mistaken after all! Why don't you make yourselves comfortable? The President should be with us shortly. Please, have a seat." She gestured to the luxurious couch across from her.

Shad glanced at Kerth before accepting the invitation, noticeably a bit nervous given Koneko's rather explosive greeting. Koneko took a seat next to Akeno, a bit suspicious of the duo as she continued to nibble on her snack. "I do apologize for my adorable kohai's actions, Kerth-kun. We've had… overzealous fans arrive here before," Akeno apologized, giving him a warm smile. "Still, it has been some time since we last saw each other. You look well! Quite the handsome young man you've become~! Ufufu."

Kerth could feel his cheeks heat up at the buxom upperclassman's teasing.

"Haha… t-thanks. You've too~... ugh." The boy words stumbled out with a sighed. Clearly the shocking display of power shown by the small girl next to her, shook him more than expected. At the same time, the nervousness that came to talking with his childhood crush, did not help his awkwardness at all.

Fortunately, Shad was quick to bail him out. "So… where is the president? And the rest of the members?"

Akeno put a finger to her lips as she pondered Shad's question. "Well, the Occult Research Club usually holds its meetings after school, but other members often come here to rest between classes. The president and I also often shower off before class and shortly after PE."

"Ah, I see…" Shad nodded. It was only after a moment passed that what Akeno stated processed in their heads. "Wait so does that mean-"

"My apologies, Akeno. It would appear that we need to have the towels washed sooner than I thought," a woman's voice said from behind the two of them. Shad and Kerth were immediately in shell shock as they heard someone with a woman's voice walking behind them. "Oh? My apologies, are these friends of yours?"

Akeno giggled, seeing how quickly the two flustered. "It's quite alright, President Rias. They're rather old friends that I was just catching up with while we waited for you. They want to join the Occult Research Club."

"Is that right?" Rias started to walk around the couch as the two boys had slightly different reactions. While Shad was effectively stun locked between what had been going on in his head while Akeno spoke prior and the idea that a potentially semi-naked upperclassman about to walk in front of them, Kerth was quickly starting to turn red and wondering what his best friend had gotten him into this time.

To the relief of both, Rias appeared to be clothed, already dressed in her school uniform. "I see… Well, why don't we conduct the interview now then? We should have enough time before classes begin."

The two let out a breath they didn't know they were holding in and nodded as Rias took a seat between Akeno and Koneko. Taking a moment to inspect the boys, Rias raised an eyebrow at the realization that she recognized one of the boys. With a smile, the red head gave a small wave towards Kerth, making him reflexively wave back before his face became as red as her hair. "So, why don't we start with the basics? My name is Rias Gremory, the president of the Occult Research Club. Akeno is the vice president. And you two are?"

Shad cleared his throat and went first. "I'm Shad Wolfram of class 2C."

"And I'm Kerth. Same class," his friend replied tiredly, bashfully avoiding direct eye contact with the two idols of the school.

The red haired woman nodded as she looked between them. "And what made you interested in our club?"

Kerth glanced at his best friend. "I'm mostly just here to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

Shad gave him a slight glare before he showed them the lightly bloodied club fliers. "Kiba handed these to us a few weeks ago before we went out to the old park outside of town. After that, we saw a well… a monster. One I haven't been able to identify in any of the material I've been researching thus far."

"Yeah. It was unlike anything we've ever seen and it was definitely bigger than a regular bear." Kerth added, his shy demeanor dropping at the recollection of that beast.

"Is that right?" Rias tilted her head with a smirk. "And what do you plan to do, exactly?"

Kerth scratched his head as it dawned on him that he wasn't really sure what he could do himself. Fearing the worst he took a glance at his best friend and saw what he feared the most. His damned look of determination, making the boy sigh in resignation, before smiling ever so slightly.

"If possible, I'd like to get rid of it." Shad exclaimed.

Present people from the club widened their eyes in astonishment before the two Onee-samas of their school giggled.

"Really? And how do you plan to do that?" Asked the red head.

"I was hoping to find the answer here after some research."

"That is very optimistic of you." Rias giggled. "And what about you, Kerth-kun?"

"As I said. I just want to keep this dumbass safe." Kerth said, gaining another glare from his best friend and making Rias giggle yet again.

"Ufufu. What a close-knit duo, aren't they, President." Akeno commented and Rias nodded with a smile.

"Alright. If that is the case, I think I have a solution for you two." The red head started. "Join my peerage."

The two boys looked at each other confused, before looking back at Rias.

"You mean club, right?" Shad asked.

"Peerage." Rias repeated before revealing her devil wings. With the rest of the present members following her lead. "Join my peerage, you two, and become my servants. If you do, both of your wishes will be realized."

Both boys began to lose count of how many times they were stunned speechless today. Taking a second to take it all in, Shad's eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement, while Kerth just sighed and massaged his temples.

"What do you boys say?" Rias asked with a smirk.

"This… is a bit abrupt. How exactly does us becoming devils help us?" Shad inquired, his curiosity peaked.

"Simply put. You'll become physically stronger at night, and you'll be able to use 'real' magic. Other than that, there is a benefit of my protection. Should I go on?" Rias answered.

"Your protection?" This time, Kerth asked, furrowing his brows.

"Yes, since it's my belief that the peerage should be like a second family to you. So of course I'll protect both of you." The redhead smiled.

"I'm sorry, but that sounds too good to be true. What do you want from us in exchange?" Shad asked.

"I'll be blunt." Rias said as he pointed a finger at Kerth. "I want him." Shad couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was about to make a smug comment, but he noticed that his friend had a look he rarely saw on him. A look of cold dismissal. Seeing that Rias added. "To be more specific. Your sacred gear. It is a rarity to hold one, and usually people who had it were famous historical figures-"

"So You're taking a gamble with my potential." Kerth interrupted.

"...Yes. I'd even add that it is a safe bet." The redhead smirked.

"Shad. I don't like this."

"I know you don't, and I also don't like being treated like a bonus. But do you see any other option?"

"I don't know. We haven't researched anything here yet."

"True, but I don't think we will get a better source of information than actual devils."

"Assuming they're not lying."

"I'm not lying. It's true that I want you, Kerth-kun" Rias interrupted, earning herself a glare from the boy. "Look. I'm not forcing you two into anything. Just remember that the longer you think about it, more people will probably die by that beast."

"..." Kerth was deep in thought. The tension in the air was palpable before he broke the silence with a heavy sigh and a shrug. "Fine~~ ugh… To think I was supposed to make sure you won't do something stupid." Kerth chuckled.

"It just goes to show that both of us are dumb." Shad chuckled along with his friend. Kerth reluctantly nodded as they fist bumped each other before turning their gaze at the sitting redhead.

"We accept." The boys said in unison.

"Ufufu~ How adorable." Akeno chuckled as Rias smiled.

"Splendid. Shall we begin right away?" Rias said, clasping her hands.

"So… how exactly does this work? Do we have to die first or can you just… change us into devils outright?"

"You dying won't be a requirement," Koneko chimed in.

The red head nodded as a magic circle appeared in the palm of her hand, summoning a full set of white pawns. Shad looked curious as she approached Kerth and started to chant. 'Chess pieces?' Rias took one of the chess pieces and pressed it against Kerth's heart, the piece sinking into Kerth's flesh. "Hmm… it seems like you need two," Rias mused as she pushed another into Kerth. There was a flash of red light following it as a pair of devil's wings burst from Kerth's back.

"Strange. Strange… this feels so strange." Kerth said as he turned his head to inspect his new wings, flapping them clumsily.

The red haired devil then approached Shad and pushed a pawn into his chest as well, given a moment of pause when she saw that it did not quite work for him either. "Ara~! Seems we have a special pair on our hands today, Rias," Akeno chimed in.

"So it would seem," she mused as she pushed a second pawn into Shad's chest, followed by a similar flash of red and a new pair of wings for the black haired student.

Shad's wings twitched as he inspected them, slowly getting used to moving them around. "... This feels weird. But in a good way," he mused.

"Special? In what way?" Kerth asked, his wings springing back into his body.

"Normally people with average potential require one pawn piece. While I was expecting you to take up more, Shad-kun here is a very welcome surprise." Rias mused with a smile.

Akeno giggled seeing the confusion on Shad and Kerth's faces. "They look rather confused, Rias. Perhaps you should explain?"

"Right. To make it simple, thanks to the evil pieces, relics that are based on chess, we determine the potential power and worth of a person we want to reincarnate. Pawns being the most average piece, they signify the power of an average person. Just like in chess, I have other pieces that are worth more pawns." Rias explained.

"In short, both of you have above average potential. Congrats!" Akeno added with glee.

"Well, ain't that a confidence booster?" Shad asked Kerth with a slight nudge as he continued trying to get used to his wings. "So you, Akeno and Koneko are devils… and I'm assuming Kiba too since he's the one who invited us to the club. Any other members of the club?"

"As of yet no," the red head replied as she looked between her two new pawns. "I'm still building my peerage. You two are actually my first pawns."

"Hear that, Kerth? You're her first," Shad teased his best friend as his wings folded back up and hid themselves.

The boy facepalmed at his friend's remark, trying to hide his red face behind his hand.

"Now then… you said something about a monster in the woods outside of town?" Rias asked as she crossed her leg over the other. "Meet back here after school and we'll discuss what to do about this beast. Okay?"

"Y-yes, ma'am…" Kerth gave her a sloppy salute. As he tugged Shad's sleeve to hurry him, trying to move this embarrassment filled moment along.

"Hehehe… you got flustered over Rias and Akeno didn't you?" Shad teased him.

"S-shut up"

With that, the boys left the club to tend to their normal routine with new perspective and stress. The sunlight stung them like a million little needles and actively felt like it was draining their livelihood out of them. Up until the late evening and the school ending for the day, the boys could indulge in their daily regular activities.